Gum contouring is a procedure that reshapes the gumline by removing excess tissue, helping create a more even appearance.
Sometimes the appearance of your smile has more to do with your gums than your teeth. If too much gum tissue covers your teeth, they may appear smaller or shorter than they actually are. Gum contouring is a procedure that reshapes the gumline by removing excess tissue, helping create a more even appearance. For patients who feel their smile shows too much gum, this can make a noticeable difference.
Being happy with your smile can affect how comfortable you feel around others. Thanks to improvements in dental technology, there are now several ways to address concerns about the appearance of your teeth and gums. However, cosmetic improvements aren't the only reason to consider treatment. Your gum health is just as important as how your smile looks.
At Northside Dental, we'll take a look at your gums, listen to what you'd like to change, and explain which treatments may be appropriate. We understand that you may have questions about the procedure, how much it costs, or what recovery involves. Our staff is happy to discuss those concerns and help you decide how to move forward. Call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 to schedule an appointment, or visit our office at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.
Gum recession is another concern that may need attention, although it isn't treated the same way as excess gum tissue. When gums pull away from the teeth, more of the tooth surface or root becomes exposed. This can happen because of gum disease, brushing too aggressively, genetics, or other factors. Depending on the cause and severity, treatment may involve addressing gum disease or using procedures such as gum grafting to cover exposed roots. If you're noticing changes in your gumline, we'll examine the area and discuss what can be done to protect your teeth and improve your gum health.
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How Gum Contouring Works
An overgrowth of gum tissue can be corrected through gum contouring, sometimes called esthetic gingival recontouring. Northside Dental will start by administering a local anesthetic and then using a laser or scalpel to shape a new, more uniform gumline. Reshaped gums can also often become healthier, since the pocket depths of spaces between the gums and teeth are made shallower and therefore easier to keep clean. The healing process is usually uneventful and can take a few weeks.
If simple gum contouring is not enough, we could go deeper with crown lengthening. In this procedure, part of your gum and some of the underlying bone is removed to change the anatomy of your teeth. Since this minor surgery involves altering bone and usually requires stitches, your recovery is typically longer.
Treatment of gum recession is usually accomplished by grafting your own gum tissue from a nearby tooth or part of the palate. We might also use highly processed, sterile donor tissue. Besides the improvement to your smile, correcting your gum coverage also protects your roots from tooth decay. The surgical site from a gum graft typically takes about six weeks to heal.
Proper Oral Hygiene Prevents Gum Disease
Gum disease can be avoided provided you simply practice good oral hygiene habits. Our oral hygiene team at Northside Dental can give you a refresher course. Though not a guarantee, if you adhere to the health industry's suggestions, you can either reduce or eliminate your need for periodontal therapy:
- Brush your teeth twice daily and practice good brushing technique. In addition to brushing regularly, it is also important to brush effectively. We will help you with proper brushing techniques.
- Floss at least once a day. If you are someone who avoids flossing, we can suggest flossing alternatives, such as interdental brushes or floss picks.
- Understand your diet. One of the best ways you can prevent gum disease issues from developing is to avoid foods that are sugary or high in starch. If you enjoy soda or sugary beverages, try to use a straw to limit the exposure of sugar to your teeth. It is also beneficial to rinse your mouth with water following meals. By doing so, you can dislodge food remnants, which, if left alone, can create future tooth decay.
Schedule your regular dental exams. Gum disease is a perfect example of an unchecked dental issue that can result in advancing problems and the progression of decay. Schedule an exam at Northside Dental every six months, and we can prevent these issues from even developing.
The Healing Process following a Gum Contouring Procedure
Some gum surgeries can require you to wear a dressing over the surgical site for a week or two. You may experience some minor swelling, discomfort, or tooth sensitivity, but these symptoms will go away as your new gumline heals. We will ask you to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol, and using a straw. Always follow Northside Dental instructions for brushing, using medication, or eating certain foods as you recover.
Your healing process will also depend on the type of tools we use to complete the procedure. If we use a scalpel for your gum contouring, sutures are necessary, and there will be more irritation. Often, we will use a laser to treat the gums without cutting or sutures, decreasing your recovery time. You will experience some swelling and discomfort afterward. You can manage these by applying ice packs to your face for 15 minutes at a time and using an over-the-counter pain medication. There will be some diet restrictions. We will instruct you to stick with a soft diet of yogurt, soup, ice cream, pudding, etc. for a few days. If your gum contouring was performed using a scalpel, we will schedule a follow-up visit. We will examine the gums to determine if everything is healing properly. If so, we will let you know when you can return to your normal dietary habits. We might prescribe an antibiotic rinse to combat any potential infection, and when you do brush your teeth, you must do so very gently and carefully.
Is Gum Contouring a Cosmetic Procedure or are there Medical Reasons?
Gum contouring is for both, depending on your reasoning. If you are seeing us at Northside Dental because you suffer from gum disease, we will first examine you to confirm the condition, discuss your options, and then work out a plan to eliminate the disease. You may very well need a gum contouring procedure to restore gums that have receded. In a very real sense, gum contouring and grafting can help save your teeth.
While usually gum recession is caused by gum disease, you can also experience this from aggressive tooth brushing, taking a prescription drug, or even your genetics. In this case, as with gum disease, restoring your gum tissue may become necessary for your optimum oral health.
Of course, your gums may be healthy, and you wish to pursue gum contouring because you have a gummy smile. At this point, the procedure is indeed purely cosmetic.
Your Comfort and Your Care
At Northside Dental, we know that finding time for dental appointments can be difficult, especially when you have a busy schedule. We do our best to offer convenient appointment times and make each visit as comfortable and efficient as possible. Whether you're coming in for routine care or a specific dental concern, our team is here to help you get the treatment you need. We want to be a dental office that you and your family can rely on for years to come, and we look forward to welcoming you into our practice. Call Northside Dental at 317-342-9446 to schedule an appointment, or visit us at 15026 Greyhound Ct., Carmel, IN 46032.